tolerate

CEFRB1

/ˈtɒl.ə.ɹeɪt/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To accept something unpleasant without trying to stop it.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To bear, withstand.

Examples

  • There was nothing for it but to tolerate it.

  • We will not tolerate anyone who engages in terrorism.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
3
Parts of speech
1
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meaning
  1. To allow or permit without explicit approval, usually if it is perceived as negative.

More examples

In context
  • I can tolerate working on Saturday, but not Sunday.

  • The elevator can tolerate up to 360 kilograms.

  • The party tolerated corruption within its ranks.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

I cannot blank the noise from the construction site because it hurts my ears.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

Borrowed from Latin tolerātus, the perfect passive participle of tolerō (“to endure”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Cognate with Old English þolian (“to tolerate, suffer, bear”) and French tolérer. More at thole.